Summer 2023

By Dr. Andrew Cox

Where in Georgia can you listen to Christmas or Carillon music while fishing for trout, bass, or bluegill? Where in Georgia can you catch trophy fish and enjoy a plethora of azaleas and other native plants interspersed within a woodland setting? Where in Georgia can you search for trophy fish while your children enjoy cooling lake waters and a white sand beach? The answer is Callaway Gardens and Resort located adjacent to Pine Mountain. This locale provides year-round angling for various fish species, some being potentially a trophy fish of a lifetime.

Photo by Jimmy Jacobs

For the last several years, I have enjoyed fishing for trout during the cool months of the year at this resort. Although there are many lakes and streams within Callaway Gardens grounds, only some are available for angling. Two lakes are designated within the resort grounds for fly fishing for trout. You are required to be accompanied by a guide when fishing these two lakes. The smaller trout lake is adjacent to the golf course, while the second larger lake has a chapel located along the shoreline. Though not a year-round fishery, trout can be caught during the late fall, winter, and early spring months. Some of the trout can reach trophy proportions, as attested through some of the photographs accompanying this article.

The author with a magnum rainbow trout from Callaway Gardens. Photo courtesy of Dr. Andrew Cox.

There are other lakes within Callaway Gardens that have excellent bass, bluegill and crappie populations. Once again, a guide accompanies the angler in fishing these waters  Both fly or conventional tackle can be used in angling on these waters. Both flies and various plastic baits work well in fishing depending upon the lake.

The largest lake, Mountain Creek Lake, can be accessed without the use of a guide. Paying a fee allows the angler access to a boat, electric trolling motor, and self-guided fishing in this large lake. Fishing for warm water species is found within this lake’s waters. If you are looking for fishing on your own, this is a great fishing option.

Mountain Creek Lake. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs

Half-day or full-day guided fishing is available within the resort. The full-day trips include lunch at one of the resort’s restaurant venues, a nice touch to break up the fishing day. The guide that I use, Tim Frazier, is a local Pine Mountain resident who has a long history of fishing the Callaway Gardens waters. He is very knowledgeable of the waters and techniques necessary to sample both the cold and warm water species found here. All fishing is typically from a comfortable drift boat.

Guide Tim Frazier, the author and a Callaway largemouth bass. Photo courtesy of Dr. Andrew Cox.

Callaway Gardens is a great location to combine fishing with other family activities. The angler can book a day of fishing, while also enjoying the various attractions within the resort. The resort is a short drive to Columbus or LaGrange. This allows ready access to the attractions in both cities to include Columbus’ museums, Chattahoochee Riverwalk and whitewater rafting, and LaGrange’s Great Wolf Lodge, historic Lafayette Square and downtown. Lodging is readily available both on the resort grounds or close by Pine Mountain.

Information on Callaway Gardens and Resort fishing is located on their website under Boathouse: Fishing and Boating. This area certainly offers some unique angling opportunities within a spectacular natural setting for anglers across Georgia.

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Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and newspapers. His writing interests specialize in angling and general fishing technique-oriented topics. He has been fishing the waters of Georgia, Alabama, and north Florida for over 40 years. In real life he is a Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama. He also is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writer’s Association. Contact him at andrewtrout@aol.com.